Every family, business owner, and taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be able to increase their financial security without undue interference from our state government. Free-market policies that limit taxes, allow entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs, and offer stability to families will put our state on track to become a national leader. Policies that enact spending limits, cut taxes, and reduce regulations will help Pennsylvania avoid debt and restore sound fiscal planning that will benefit citizens in the years to come.

Taxes & Economy

Major Victory for Electricity Generators on Mercury Rule

  • December 29, 2009

Last Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a decision made earlier this year by a Pennsylvania Court Judge who decided the Department of Environmental Protection’s attempt to regulate statewide…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

A Road to Savings: Abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

  • December 29, 2009

The top-heavy PTC, with more than 2,000 employees, is responsible for overseeing an exponentially smaller infrastructure than PennDOT. The PTC manages 537 miles of turnpike highways; PennDOT manages nearly 40,000…

Commentary

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Health Care

Challenging the Constitutionality of Health Care Legislation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2009

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett is joining with a number of other state AG‘s (latest count is 10 attorneys general) to challenge the “Nebraska Compromise” in the latest…

Media

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Regulation

Of Mice And G-Men

  • December 28, 2009

An inspection by the Pennsylvania Agriculture Department found rodent droppings “just about everywhere” in the cafeteria at the Pennsylvania state capitol. The cafeteria, reportedly, also has a severe rodent…

Media

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Regulation

Private Funding for Historical Sites

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 28, 2009

The historical site of Washington’s Crossing saw a cut in taxpayer subsidies this year, and some forecast doom and gloom for history. Instead, Lockheed Martin and other private donors…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Legislative Audit Says Little

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 28, 2009

A new audit of the Pennsylvania Legislature’s accounts was released earlier this month, and is available via state Rep. Josh Shapiro. The big news on the audit is that…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Legislative Audit Says Little

Taxes & Economy

Climate Change Action Plan Fails to Balance Evidence

  • December 23, 2009

HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation today expressed dissatisfaction with the process and conclusion of the Climate Change Advisory Committee’s (CCAC) action plan for Pennsylvania. The plan deviates from key…

Press Release

Read More: Climate Change Action Plan Fails to Balance Evidence

Taxes & Economy

Lessons of Scrooge

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 22, 2009

Tony Phyrillas points to a DotPenn article on “Why Scrooge is a Progressive.” While DotPenn is typically a satire/humor blog, the the lesson of Ebenezer Scrooge is…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Final Numbers: Bush Biggest Spender Since LBJ

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 22, 2009

Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute updates the numbers on federal spending under George W. Bush with the final spending for FY 2009 in the books. While some of…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians More Unhappy Than Most

  • December 22, 2009

As the winter rolls around there is a lot to be unhappy about especially in the northeast regions of the United States. It is no wonder the a new…

Media

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Education

Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea Spreads

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 21, 2009

The consideration of a tuition tax is appealing to populations beyond Pennsylvania as cities look to prop up budgets.  Leave it to California to be the first to jump on…

Media

Read More: Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea Spreads

Regulation

PA Stores to Get Wine Vending Machines that Check ID

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 21, 2009

The Patriot News has a story that about 100 Pennsylvania stores will get wine kiosks, and the machines will check drivers licenses, give a breathalyzer, and accept payments. The…

Media

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Regulation

PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 21, 2009

Mario Cattabiani writes in the the Philadelphia Inquirer about all the pet projects funded in the table games bill. He writes: It parcels out the local share in…

Media

Read More: PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects

Regulation

Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 18, 2009

As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees

Taxes & Economy

Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax? Part III

  • December 18, 2009

Pennsylvania has a flat rate Personal Income Tax (PIT) of 3.07%.   In this blog series, I will highlight some real facts about Pennsylvania’s PIT.  Visit Who Pays the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

PA Highway System Ranked 38th in Nation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 18, 2009

  Tony Phyrillas highlights Pennsylvania standings in the Reason Foundation’s 18th Annual Highway Report. PA ranks 38 among the most cost-effective state-owned highway systems. The top five include…

Media

Read More: PA Highway System Ranked 38th in Nation

Taxes & Economy

CF Sends Letter to FHWA on I-80 Tolling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2009

Today, Commonwealth Foundation president Matthew Brouillette sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Pennsylvania’s members of Congress expressing concerns over the proposed tolling of Interstate 80…

Media

Read More: CF Sends Letter to FHWA on I-80 Tolling

Regulation

PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2009

While the debate over table games continues, another piece of legislation passed with little debate was the $1.7 billion in borrowing for the state capital budget. HB…

Media

Read More: PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing

Health Care

States Push Back Against National Healthcare

  • December 17, 2009

With the health care debate still brewing on the floor of the US Senate, states are pushing back against the prospect of a government-run healthcare system. The American Legislative…

Media

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Regulation

Pennsylvania Pension Resources

  • December 16, 2009

Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss will be on PCN’s call in show tonight, discussing the looming fiscal crisis in state pension. Click here for a recent news…

Media

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